Bird Feeder and Curry

New Bird Feeder
(Click for more flower pictures…)

Today came over and hung out while I did some work on the SIDbox / MIDIbox SID-LC (photo gallery retired) project. I confirmed that the LM7805 getting really hot was because I was feeding it too much power. I also confirmed that it will work fine when being fed 12VDC and 15VDC, for the 6581 and 8580 SIDs, respectively. So, I need to re-figure the power supplies used.

I also figured out that I left out a component on the schematic, essentially prompting me to lay out the PCB in a manner which keeps the RST line on the SID at +5VDC all the time. Whoops. At least that would explain the weirdly stuck notes I was having… I’ve got a fix for it on the prototype boards, I just need to implement it.

I think that I’ve managed to identify the last bug in the current design. That means I can move on to laying out the next prototype (beta?) design for what I hope will become the MIDIbox SID-LC.

Oh, and about that bird feeder up above? Well, after the bit of hanging out and going to Ashoka for some lovely curry, Brian and I ended up at Home Depot at 26 Mile and VanDyke. I’ve been wanting a bird feeder for a while, and I was finally able to find one that I like.

It is now hung in front of the porch, in a location which can be seen nicely while I stand in the kitchen or sit in the living room. Hopefully birds will start visiting it.

I also took some new photos of the flowers. As you can see here, they are growing fairly well:

Purple and Red Salvia: Just Planted · Today
Violet Snapdragons and White Lobelia: Just Planted · Today
Margarita Orange Portulaca: Just Planted · Today
Herbs: Just Transplanted · Today